Thrifting

We finally made it into town on a day that the United Methodist Church Thrift Shop was open. It's an all volunteer shop, so it's only open Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. A thorough search of the items on offer yielded some real bargains, including a lightweight shirt/jacket in black. (I'd love to find a white one.)

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Navy Band Cruisers in Kalamazoo

We drove to Kalamazoo today for the last of the summer concerts in Bronson Park, featuring the U.S. Navy Band Cruisers. It was storming, so the performance was moved to the rain location, the First United Methodist Church, which is located on the square. 

We were late because of a detour, so when we arrived, people were being directed to the balcony. Unfortunately only the front row of the balcony could see the performance, since the musicians were in front of the communion rail. Some people stood along the sides of the balcony.

Photo taken from the Family Room (cry room)

The performers were all very talented, and we enjoyed some of the pieces they performed, but a lot was very loud rock, which is not our favorite. They were well into one piece before we realized that it was a very unusual arrangement of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

US Navy Band Cruisers

As the U.S. Navy's premier popular music group, the Cruisers feature eight of the Navy's most dynamic performers. The group takes its name from the Navy's versatile, flexible, multi-missioned ship – the cruiser – and the band lives up to their namesake by having the capabilities of playing genres of music ranging from jazz & standards, rhythm & blues, classic rock, adult contemporary and pop as well as original material. This elite group has engaged and excited audiences of all ages throughout the U.S. and abroad with world-class musicianship and high energy, fun filled performances.
Having truly worldwide appeal, they traveled to Oslo in 2004 for the Norwegian Military Tattoo. In addition, they performed in Keflavik, Iceland, in October 1999 for the Naval Air Station's Navy Birthday Ball. Closer to home, they are in constant demand by the most senior government and military officials. Smaller combinations of the group often perform at the chief of naval operations' quarters for official receptions. Their show-stopping appearances on Navy birthday concerts, holiday concerts, national tours, and summer concert series performances are always a highlight.

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Games

Many of the cousins are avid gamers. They let me join them for a game of Ticket to Ride this evening.

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Microwave Installation and Family Reunion

This morning Bill and Michelle arrived at 9:00 a.m. at our site in Pier-Lon, prepared to install our new microwave. We had not been able to find anyone local who was willing to install it, so we are very grateful to them for their adventurous spirit and willingness to accept a challenge and for their generosity.

Bill came prepared with tools and a very organized approach. He had spoken
 with one of his former students who actually works at an RV service center to get some advice, and he had requested info from us. We sent him photos of the situation and a copy of the installation manual. The instructions say that two people are required to do the installation, but we ended up with three, as Chris and Bill held the microwave in place while Michelle drove the bolts from the upper cabinet into the top of the microwave. Success! We now have a new microwave in place and ready to use!  (We wish we had taken photos of the installation process, but everyone was too involved to think of that.)

We went to Kathy's house to hook up with Terri, who rented an SUV that fit seven passengers. We all set out for my cousin Peggy's house, an hour east in Mentor. Our gathering included the extended Martin family and Bockhoff family, including Aunt Helene. She lives in an assisted living facility nearby.

Bill, Sophia, Anara, and Jeff playing Bocce ball

Molly, Terri, Lee, Michelle, Stephanie, Kathy, and Karen chatting

, (Posed in family groupings from left) Molly and Terri; Ed, Cate, Sam, Jesse, and Julie; Chris, Sherrie, and Anara; Ken and Lee in front; Bill, Michelle, Sophia, and Gryphon; Jeff; Todd and Stephanie (with Aria in front of Gryphon); Kathy in front; Aunt Helene middle front; Allan, Mysie, and Bobby; Kelly (Corey was out of town on a fishing trip), Daniel, Tim, and Sabrina; Brian and Karen (front row), and Peggy. Thanks to one of Peggy's neighbors, who joined the party and took the group photos.

Happy Cate!

Aria helping Anara blow out her 17 birthday candles.

The buffet table included pulled pork for sandwiches, brats, corn on the cob, veggies, beans, pasta salad, watermelon, and more. Everyone had plenty to eat. We had lots of time for visiting, and a good time was had by all. Aunt Helene got tired, so she was taken home early. Evidently she likes living in the assisted living home, Salida Woods. Read more!

Happy 17th Birthday, Anara!

Today is Anara's 17th birthday. We are looking forward to seeing her tomorrow and celebrating her birthday with cake at Peggy's house Sunday.

Julie and the kids arrived this evening at Kathy's after an eight hour drive from Charlotte. Hugs all around, and then we had dinner together. The great Martin family reunion has begun.

Chris and Sherrie and Anara will arrive from Portland tomorrow afternoon. Ed and Terri and Molly will fly in much later, so we won't see them until Sunday. Bill and Michelle and Sophia and Gryphon will drive from Madison, arriving around 6:00 p.m. Jeff and Stephanie and Todd and Aria will be over too, so we'll have a large group for dinner

We are very sorry to be missing Robert and Bibi and Juli, and we'll be thinking of all our family members who have died Read more!

Back in the USA

We flew from Paris to Toronto to Cleveland today. As usual, it was a bit of a hassle flying, but we made it safely. Over the next week, Ken and I will be creating some blog entries with photos from our travels. Stay tuned (but meanwhile we are jet lagging). Read more!